I find it a shame that no one from 3mm publicity has picked up on this topic, or any topic for that matter concerning 3mm. They are missing a wonderful opportunity to promote the scale through this medium.
From comments so far to this topic the knowledge of what 3mm is about and just how much the scale has to offer is lamentable.
The 3mm Society offer rail, chairs, point kits and even flexitrack base in both 4.2 and 13.5 gauges. (Note that I do not include 12mm gauge, that is TT not 3mm)
They also offer a range of finescale wheels second to none for use in any gauge. Remember too that the wheel profile if almost the same as 2mm fine scale, apart from wheel thickness. A range of square centred wheels too is on the cards and expected shortly. It is a shame that they do not have a clue as how to blow their own trumpet and let the world know that what they have to offer is as good as what any other scale has.
As for 14.2 v 13.5. Well there are a lot of modellers out there that believe a an outside valve gear loco can be built to scale in 2mm fine scale,3mm 14.2 ,P4 – it cant. It is physically impossible. To say it is possible is to contradict Sir Isaac Newton!
The narrower the gauge the tighter the radius that can be negotiated. The difference between 14.2 and 13.5 is quite noticeable and if you are willing to give and take 13.5 wins hands down. But just who is going to argue that point? Very few, if any, have tried both.
13.5 makes much more sense than 14.2 in all respects but I would not expect this to be believed unless you had been there and got the T shirt. (there are those that rant on about 3mm dead scale or scale 3, they haven’t been there and don’t have the T shirt otherwise they would not rant on. I have been there and got the T shirt!)
If you don’t believe what I have said then go to www.georgem.co.uk and his blog and there you will see evidence of a very large 13.5 layout under construction, held up at the moment I believe for the lack of decent square centred wheels which should have been available 12 months or more ago but pig headedness got in the way, (I think they are now expected in May 15 or so I hear) anyway, here is a 3mm layout in 13.5 with locos and stock being specially designed for it and bigger than anything in 14.2.
3mm is held back by the very thing that keeps it afloat, Triang TT.
Pure 3mm is therefore restricted to those who can actually model not just talk a good job, you want to be a good modeller? Then try 3mm.
Harry
